Client: Real Estate Advisor
Our client, a Real Estate Advisement firm in Cambridge, contracted Timberwise to assess the roof of their property for woodworm damage during redevelopment work. This property was a detached farmhouse of solid brick construction, and was both occupied and furnished at the time of our inspection. The weather was overcast and wet.
Challenges
Our survey was limited to the roof void within the property. This can prevent identifying the full extent of a woodworm infestation. The inspection was also limited by fitted floor coverings and insulation within the roof void. These are examples of regular challenges that our surveyors face when diagnosing a property, and by acting upon over 50 years of Timberwise industry experience, overcome these challenges regularly.
It is also important to note that the property was undergoing significant restoration work during our visits to survey and repair the damage. Active building sites carry with them a multitude of hazards that the average property does not. Timberwise prides itself on its approach to health and safety, and our expert team collaborated with other on-site workers as well as our client to ensure a successful survey and treatment of the property.
Observations
Our surveyor began with a brief external observation of the roof from ground level, where they highlighted several defects which could lead to penetrating damp within the property.
Several missing roof tiles were notes on both sides of the roof, indicating areas where damp may penetrate the roof void. Our surveyor also highlighted several areas of defective mortar and spalled brickwork, both in the chimney stack and each external wall. Debonding paint was also noted on a rear window frame.
Another area of concern was identified at ground level, where a lack of air bricks and a Damp Proof Course (DPC) posed a significant risk to the timber floors within the property. It is not uncommon for properties of this age to lack a DPC (the property was built in the 1800s), but this can lead to rising damp within the ground floor interior walls. An influx of damp, combined with the lack of ventilation to the flooring timbers, also increases the risk of attack by fungal decay.
Inside the property, our surveyor completed an investigation of the roof void, where several separate infestations of woodworm were identified. Woodworm itself is a collective term for several species of wood-boring beetles and weevils. In this case, infestations of Common Furniture Beetle (Anobium punctatum), Death Watch Beetle (Xestobium rufovillosum) & Bark Borer Beetle (Ernobius mollis) were identified within the roof void and ceiling joists. Woodworm can be identified in several ways, from the size of flight holes left in timbers, to the frass (bore dust) left behind by the beetle’s emergence. Our Woodworm Treatment page has further information on how to identify different woodworm species.
Solutions
Our surveyor recommended a course of action with our client to ensure that the incumbent infestations were not only immediately controlled, but also protected from future infestations.
Our technicians cleaned down the roof timbers to prepare them for treatment. This allows the treatment to soak into the timbers once applied.
They then sprayed a layer of insecticidal fluid, ensuring complete coverage of all timbers within the roof void. This insecticidal fluid eradicates any infestation on or near the surface of the timbers. It is also a long-lasting solution, providing protection against future woodworm emergence once treated. This treatment also prevents the development of any further eggs, effectively controlling the population of a woodworm infestation.
Our surveyor also recommended assessing the structural integrity of the exposed timbers in the more heavily affected areas after treatment had finished. Any significantly damaged beams should be secured with plates or supporting timbers to restore the integrity of the roof. This would ensure that as much original material as possible could remain in the building during the continuing renovation work.
Results
Our client was delighted with Timberwise’s efforts to control the woodworm infestation within their restoration project. Our surveyor and technicians acted with the client’s wishes to retain as much original material as possible, while also protecting against future structural issues and outbreaks. Our client was satisfied that they could continue restoring the farmhouse to its former glory.
Do You Want Help with a Woodworm Solution?
Our dedicated and experienced team in North London are ready to talk to you about your options for property preservation. Don’t hesitate to call us on 020 8226 6486, or you can request a survey online.
